[Etiopathogenesis of hand syndactyly in the light of several experimental findings]

The limb developmental program is comprised of processes of cell multiplication and of cell determination, differentiation and morphogenesis. Many of these processes depend on cell-cell communications within tissues and between different tissue types. The Authors present a review of the more significant data about the etiology of the syndactylies of the hand, both in their physiopathogenic aspects and in their clinical typology. The peculiarity of these malformations is outlined, supported by literature data and personal experimental experiences.